Andi's Mom is in the hospital and it is serious.

Andi plans to hop on a plane asap to Tucson.

Any suggestions re: good last minute deals?

Fly in to Tucson or maybe Phoenix & rent a car?

Any and ALL ideas very very welcome.

Thanks for any suggestions. (and thanks in advance for all your kinds thoughts and prayers)

Doug

Thoughts and prayers coming your way, Doug.

Edit because I had it backwards. Still, it's over 100 miles from Phoenix to Tucson, not good when you are anxious.

Have you checked Northwest or Southwest?

Northwest & AA seem to have the most flights.

The drive from Phoenix to Tucson isn't too bad (done it a couple of times)... but you are right about being anxious.

Thanks for the thoughts & prayers, but send them to my Mother-in-law...Bernise

Doug

Please tell Andi that we'll have her mom and her in our prayers. I hope Andi gets there with a minimum of anxiety and that her mom is doing ok when she arrives.

Thanks, Kathy

Doug

Doug,
Our thoughts and prayers are with Andi and her mom!!

Betty

The drive from Phoenix to Tucson isn't bad but...they are beginning construction north of Tucson near Marana. I'm not sure how bad the tie-up is since it's at night from about 7pm to 5am in the mornings. If it were me, I'd try for directly into Tucson because the difference in cost usually isn't worth it. From NYC (or Newark), I've flown Continental and I think they've just added non-stop flights. I'm not sure about other non-stops. When I'm flying domestic, I usually connect in Dallas/Ft Worth or Houston. I try to avoid Atlanta unless that's my destination.

Doug, let me know if I can help Andi in any way. We live in Tucson, you know. I'm flying to Memphis on Saturday and will be back on Monday but Alan will be here. If you're interested, send me a private message and I'll give you our phone numbers.

Doug,

I had heard that Andi's mother was in the hospital, via a private email from her earlier this week.

While I can offer no airline insight, Alan and I do offer our very best wishes, thoughts and prayers. Please let us know how she's coming along. And, please wish Andi a safe journey.

Safe trip Andi - Seems that many of you are dealing with elderly parents and I remember the sadness and anxiety that our roles as "parents" for our parents created for us - it is not easy - Joannna

Denise & Alan:

Thank you, my (our) friends.

I shall let Andi know

Doug

It is so difficult when they are far away, I was lucky to have mine close when I had them. Andi, I hope all works out for the best, whatever that may be in God's hands.

Donna:

Thank you for the offer. A private email has been sent

Doug

Olivia:

Thank you

Doug and Andi,

Thoughts and prayers with you both, a dificult time.

Doug,
Email received and telephone numbers sent to you and Andi.

We'll be thinking of you and sending our best thoughts and prayers.

Doug,

I just checked on Orbitz and fares to Phoenix from NYC are only about $50 less than Tucson so I wouldn't bother. Leaving tomorrow and returning on Mon shows $379.

Good luck with everything!!

Thank you all. I am off tomorrow am on American. Used frequent flyer miles because it gives me flexibility to change dates. I bought matching tickets through American for $450. We are going into Tucson.

Andi/Doug - we'll be thinking positive thoughts in your mother's direction. Best wishes, safe trip, and hope to hear good news soon!

Masaki (& Amanda)

Andi,

I emailed you, privately; however, I also wanted to post Alan's and my best wishes. We know how difficult a journey this is. Events in our lives, such as this, are never easy to bear. Please be assured that you will find the inner strength to get through this. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

When time allows, please let us know how things are going. Have a safe trip.

Hugs from Alan and me.

Thanks, everyone!

Andi and our daughter took off early this morning on American as she said. They should arrive in Tucson around 2pm local time.

Doug

Doug,

I know Andi has already left, but please pass along my best wishes and positive thoughts to her.

We're sending our thoughts and prayers and big hugs your way. Bonnie and Jack

Andi, Tom and I are also sending good wishes for you and your Mom!! Please keep us all informed!
These are such difficult times!!

Andi and Doug, I just stumbled on this post. So sorry to hear Andi's Mom isn't doing well. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

I,too, missed this post, probably because I know I can't help anyone with airlines!

Sorry to hear about your mom, Andi. Our best wishes for the three of you, and especially for your mom, for a speedy recovery.

Bill and Nancy

Andrea:

I recall that your Mom had recent bouts with the medicos and bounced back nicely. We do hope she is on the mend currently.

She's in our prayers.

Ray & Penny

What about her doggie? Wasn't that a problem the last time she had some medical challenge? I recall that Chip generously volunteered to go rescue the pooch, but the neighbor had stepped in to take care of the little canine. Maggie would insist that this issue be addressed, right??

Ginny, Bonnie, Marcie (& Tom!), Kimmie, Bill & my Motu buddies: Ray & Penny;

Thank you all for your wishes.

Andi's Mom is stable with some major rehab ahead. Looks like I will be visiting Tucson before month end to do my part.

Freddie: We have never met. But I am sure that we will become fast friends when we do!
Yes, there is a little dog. His name is Toby. I am told that he weighs about 3 pounds nothing.
Little Toby will be coming to New York for a while. It just makes sense. It will be so much better for him than being boarded... and a whole lot cheaper for us (even after the airline fare!).
It may be a wee bit of a challenge with Maggie who does not take to other dogs.... but she is a fast learner.

When Andi's Mom gets well enought to take care of Toby, we will return him to her.

Doug.... who spent the day with his own Mom who is in hospital and getting better each day

Good hearing that Andi's Mother is stable. I do hope each day finds her doing better and better. And, the very best to your Mother, too Doug. You and Andi certainly have had a very full plate. Alan's and my best wishes for a speedy recovery for them both!

Doug, I didn't realize your Mom was in the hospital, too! Geez, can it get any worse? Hope all is well with her as well.

Dear Doug and Andi:

My heart goes out to both of you. Having spent the last 5 week in almost the same situation I can imagine the anxiety and helplessness you're feeling. I hope you'll find some good moments in all of this.

My mother was at death's door but has made an amazing recovery. Unfortunately, she still has some tough times ahead of her but yesterday my sister and I rejoyced at spending a wonderful afternoon with her. It was her gift to us on Mother's Day.

We send you our thoughts and prayers.

Again, I thank each and everyone of you for your kind wishes.

Andi is still in Az dealing with what must be dealt with. Our daughter is in the air as I type. She is coming home with Toby. It will be interesting to see how Maggie reacts to another dog. This is something I am NOT looking forward to. But considering what Maggs has made it through, another dog should be a piece of cake!

Andi's mom is having a tought time. None of the doctors agree. There are tests aplenty. Results are few.
But we remain hopeful.

I spent most of Sunday (Mother's day) with my Mom & Dad at the nursing home where she is having her rehab.
To say that she seems better would be understatement. She is improving.... and smiling. A smile is something I've not seen since she was admitted into the hospital.
& she laughed while I explained to my father how to do a laundry load. She always took care of the home & he went to the office. Somehow the clothes were always clean and dinner was ready when he got home.... magic, I guess.
Now, in his 80's he is faced with the washing machine monster.

He's learning.

Thanks again to you all for your kind words and thought.

Doug

Doug:

Oh my, what a tug of war of the heart. Two Mom's not doing well.

We're going into double time with prayers.

Ray & Penny

Doug,

Your Mother sounds well on her way to restored health! We're hoping for the same for Andi's Mother. Our best wishes and thoughts, as always!

I just got back from the hospital. My mom is still in the ICU. She knew who I was, but does nothing but scream in pain and yell "Help me."

This am, she had a esophogeal scan to see if she has endocarditis, an infection of the heart valve. I heard that they saw a lesion on the valve, but the valve still appears to be working properly and her heart is pumping well, so they are discussing therapy options, which are 6-8 weeks of medical IV treatment or valve replacement.

She also has renal disease and came in with creatine levels of 4.4 and has stabilized at 2.1, which still isn't normal. The toxins from the kidney infection are making her delerious. She is being treated by a nephrologist, who says she is a very sick woman.

She also has blood and bowel infections and is being treated by an infectious disease specialist. I haven't had a serious discussion with her yet.

She now has all sorts of fungal and skin infections and a dermatologist is coming by tomorrow.

The neurologist told me that she has had some minor TIA's, but her brain functioning is still intact.

However, he told me that the the endocarditis meant that she could blow a clot at any time and it could lodge anywhere.

She also had very low blood pressure (80/40) and thyroid problems.

She also isn't eating and nutrition is a problem. If she doesn't eat soon, it will be feeding tubes. I know she didn't want this.

THe best course is to get her to NY where I can be close to make decisions and to get life back to as much normalcy as possible with Doug and Leigh.

Tomorrow, I meet with doctors and the social worker to get more answers and start to make some plans. In the PM, I have to try to find out where she keeps her money and figure out how to close up the house.

On a positive note, I will get to meet Donna tomorrow evening and Toby was a very good traveler on the plane. He is resting comfortably at my daughter's apartment. The poor fella spent almost two days alone with my mother lying unconscious. Then, he was left alone for two days, with the neighbors coming by three times a day to walk and feed him. Finally, two strangers entered his home and took him for all sorts of shots, packed him in a suitcase and took him on a plane (he traveled on my daughter's lap). Poor little thing. Next, she'll be dropping him off at yet another place where he must face sweet Maggie, who may not be so sweet when faced with competition. He is a terrific little dog...a SHITPOO...very mellow and bright.

So, while Doug and I deal with unchartered territory with our moms, Toby will deal with all sorts of new things too...grass...squirrels, deer, a new house, another dog and DOUG!

I'd like to thank you all personally for your kind thoughts and wishes.

Andi

Andi,

I am so sorry to hear about your Mother's conditions. It is so difficult to go through this with a parent, especially one who lives such a great distance from you. You have many weighty decisions to make in her behalf. Alan and I wish you the strength to get through this. We send many loving and caring thoughts your way. We wish your Mother well. Take good care of yourself, my friend. You will then have the ability to take fine care of your Mother.

My heart goes out to you Andi. I cannot even imagine all the stress you and Doug are under, particularly with both parents ill. Our thoughts are with you.

Thinking of you both and do remember to take care of yourselves too!

Andi - I wish the best for your mother - this has to be extremely hard. Feel free to Email me off line if you want to run anything past me and Amanda.

Doug - glad to hear that your mother seems to be doing better - a sense of humor is a definite sign of improvement!

Masaki

Doug and Andi, I didn't realize you had health problems with both mothers. When it rains, it pours! I think this is why we are called the "sandwich generation"!

I am looking forward to meeting Andi tonight. Hopefully it will add a bright spot in an otherwise hard day and week. And, we've discovered we're both writers. Cool!